The Woodlands (Houston), Texas, December 2009 � Benchmark Hospitality International has announced the appointment of Wende Blumberg as general manager for Hotel Contessa, the Personal Luxury Hotel� on the Riverwalk in San Antonio, Texas.  Greg Champion, chief operating officer, made the announcement.

"I am pleased to welcome Wende to her new role with Benchmark Hospitality,� said Mr. Champion.  �She brings a solid history of strong and capable leadership to Hotel Contessa, and we welcome her to this remarkable property in this storied destination.�

Wende Blumberg previously served the Benchmark Hospitality organization as field staff support for Naples Bay Resort, its luxury property in Naples, Florida.  She also led an important initiative to expand and upgrade the company�s system-wide Extranet, Benchmark Central.  Prior to this, she held the title of general manager for Mission Inn Resort & Club near Orlando, which Benchmark operated at the time. 

Ms. Blumberg invested a decade of her distinguished hospitality career with Hilton Hotels Corporation, serving as general manager for the Hilton Atlanta Airport Hotel and in the same role for The Hilton University of Florida Conference Center in Gainesville, which she opened. 

In addition to operations positions, Wende Blumberg has been director of sales & marketing for Sandestin Resort of Destin, Florida, and served as director of customer retention and director of conference planning for the landmark Kingsmill Resort in Williamsburg, Virginia.  She initially worked for Benchmark Hospitality International as director of conferences for The Cottages at Shipyard Plantation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, which Benchmark previously operated.

Wende Blumberg is the past president of the International Association of Conference Centers, the leading professional organization governing the multi-billion dollar conference center industry on five continents.  Over her productive career she has also served in leadership roles with numerous chambers of commerce, sports and tourism boards. 

Ms. Blumberg earned her Masters Degree in Recreation & Parks from Penn State University, and her undergraduate degree in the same discipline from the University of Florida, Gainesville.  She is an avid golfer and equestrian.  Ms. Blumberg is relocating to San Antonio with her husband.

About Hotel Contessa
Celebrating the region�s unmatched storied heritage as a fusion of cultures, Hotel Contessa pays homage to the best of San Antonio, incorporating modern interpretations of its unique architecture, hospitality, cuisine and lifestyle.  The 12-story hotel features 10,000 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting and event facilities, a dedicated fitness center, full-service spa and rooftop swimming pool, as well as a gourmet restaurant and lounge that give leisure and business travelers a true taste of the new San Antonio.  Hotel Contessa embodies Benchmark Hospitality�s nearly thirty years of innovation and excellence in the operation and development of premium hotels, resorts and conference centers.  The property is located at 306 W. Market Street.  For more information or to make your reservation, please call 210-229-9222 or log onto www.thehotelcontessa.com.

About Benchmark Hospitality International
Benchmark Hospitality International is a leader in the management and marketing of resorts, conference centers, hotels, and Personal Luxury Hotels�.  The privately held company, launched in 1980, is a founding member of the International Association of Conference Centers.  Benchmark Hospitality is a worldwide organization operating properties in major metropolitan and resort destinations.  Benchmark's international headquarters is located in The Woodlands, Texas, near Houston, with regional offices in New Jersey and Connecticut.  International offices are located in Tokyo, Japan, and Santiago, Chile. For the location of Benchmark�s properties and additional information, visit www.benchmarkhospitality.com.